Page 142 of Branded Hearts

I blink back tears, my heart pounding in my chest. “But…”

Bradley steps closer, silencing my words. “I couldn’t stand being apart from you any longer. I’ve been a fool. I let you go when I should have held on tighter. For us,” he says, his voice earnest.

I swallow hard, my throat tight with emotion. “I’m so sorry for how I handled things. I—”

But he shakes his head, his words cutting through my apology. “Don’t be sorry. I should be the one apologising.”

“But what about your work?” I manage to utter.

“Forget work. You wanted me here, so I’mhere. That’s all that matters.” He gently lifts my chin, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

“I love you, Amelia.”

His words hit me like a ton of bricks, stirring up a wild mix of emotions inside me. Relief, longing, it all comes rushing in at once, swirling through me.

“And I’m so fucking sorry it took me so long to say it back,” he murmurs, his words piercing through the air. “You breathed life back into me when I thought I was doing fine. You made me realise how much I had been missing. My whole life, I had this nagging feeling that something was off. That there was an emptiness, something Icouldn’t place my finger on, until you came along.” Cupping my face in his hands, his touch is a lifeline, grounding me in the moment as his words wash over me like a gentle tide. “I’ve been so stubborn, so blinded by fear, by my own rules and expectations, that I failed to see what was right in front of me,” he murmurs, gently wiping away the tears streaming down my cheeks. I know my makeup is probably a mess by now, but I couldn’t care less.

“Y-you love me?” I manage to ask, my voice wavering.

“With every fucking fibre of my being, Mills. I’m yours.”

I let out a shaky breath, and my hands tremble as I reach up to touch his face. “I’ve waited so long to hear you say that,” I whisper.

Before I can utter another word, he crashes his mouth to mine. I grip his back, pulling him closer, needing him as close as possible. The world around us fades away, and I don’t care that we’re in a crowded gallery. I hear a few whistles break out, but I ignore them, lost in the kiss.

Lost in him.

His hands slide down to cup me from behind, effortlessly lifting me up. I cling to him tightly, and he holds me there, his lips never leaving mine, the kiss deepening. I bury my hands in his hair, feeling the soft strands between my fingers, before moving them to the nape of his collar, pulling him even closer.

I’m breathless, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment, but I never want it to end.

He breaks the kiss, holding me there, both of us breathing hard, our foreheads resting against each other. Slowly, he lowers me back tothe ground, and the crowd erupts into a fit of whistles and applause. I bury my face in his chest, feeling it rumble with laughter.

“This is the second time you’ve kissed me in public,” I mumble, feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks.

Bradley chuckles, his arms around me tightening slightly. “So? I just can’t help myself around you.”

“Since when are you intoPDA?” I tease, looking up at him.

“Since you,” he says, leaning down to place a soft kiss on my forehead.

The laughter, whistles, and applause begin to fade, and I feel a light tug on my dress. Turning around, I see Millie standing beside me, her face beaming.

“Meli! Bwadey!” she exclaims with a big smile.

“Hi, princess,” Bradley says, a huge grin breaking out onto his beautiful face. “Did you miss me?”

Millie nods enthusiastically.

“And she’s not lying. She hasn’t stopped calling your name ever since Meli came to stay with us.” This comes from Kat, who appears by our sides with John.

“She likes you more than me now,” I say, tilting my head and crossing my arms.

“Ah, is that so? Who could blame her?” His wink makes me flush with heat.

“Well, I missed you, too. And your aunty Meli. I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere,” he says to Millie before standing back up.

“What about Liv? Any news? Did you speak to her?” I ask, myvoice tinged with worry.

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